KR102603517B1 - Apparatus of generating cold water and ice, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A cold water and ice generating device and a control method thereof are disclosed. The cold water and ice generating device includes: a compressor that compresses refrigerant; A condenser that liquefies the gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor; a dryer that removes impurities from the refrigerant liquefied by the condenser; A refrigerant flow conversion valve that switches the flow path of the refrigerant passing through the dryer; An ice making unit that creates ice by using the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant oil conversion valve by an auger type ice making method; a cooling unit that generates cold water using refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant oil conversion valve; and a control unit that controls the refrigerant flow switching valve so that the refrigerant that has passed through the dryer is supplied to at least one of the ice making unit and the cooling unit.

Description

Cold water and ice generating device and control method thereof {APPARATUS OF GENERATING COLD WATER AND ICE, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

This application relates to cold water and ice generating devices and methods for controlling the same.

Water purifiers that provide purified water by purifying raw water supplied from the outside are widely used, and recently, in addition to providing purified water, water purifiers that generate cold water and ice using purified water are also widely used.

There are various ways to create ice, including immersion ice-making, spray-type ice-making, running-water ice-making, and auger-type ice-making.

Here, the auger-type ice making method causes the refrigerant to flow around the flow space where water flows, creating ice on the inner circumferential surface of the flow space, and causes the screw to rotate in the flow space to separate the ice from the inner circumferential surface of the flow space. The method is to transport it and discharge it to the outside.

A device that generates both ice and cold water by a single auger module employing this auger-type ice-making method can be considered.

However, when the auger module switches from an ice-making operation that generates ice to a cooling operation that generates cold water, the inside of the ice-making pipe may freeze due to the latent heat of evaporation of the ice-making pipe provided in the auger module, thereby preventing the production of cold water. Circulation of water becomes impossible, making it impossible to produce cold water. In this case, it is necessary to wait until the ice-making pipe is thawed or to perform a separate thawing operation to thaw the ice-making pipe.

In addition, since ice and cold water must be produced alternately through one ice-making pipe, a shortage of ice or cold water may occur if the amount of ice or cold water used is excessive.

Therefore, in the art, there is a need for a method to prevent freezing of the auger module that generates ice by the auger-type ice making method and to appropriately generate ice and cold water according to the amount of ice and cold water used.

In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a cold water and ice generating device.

The cold water and ice generating device includes: a compressor that compresses refrigerant; A condenser that liquefies the gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor; a dryer that removes impurities from the refrigerant liquefied by the condenser; A refrigerant flow conversion valve that switches the flow path of the refrigerant passing through the dryer; An ice making unit that creates ice by using the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant oil conversion valve by an auger type ice making method; a cooling unit that generates cold water using refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant oil conversion valve; and a control unit that controls the refrigerant flow switching valve so that the refrigerant that has passed through the dryer is supplied to at least one of the ice making unit and the cooling unit.

Meanwhile, another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of controlling a cold water and ice generating device.

The control method of the cold water and ice generating device includes supplying refrigerant to at least one of an ice making unit that generates ice using an auger type ice making method, a cooling unit that generates cold water using a cold water storage tank method, and the ice making unit and the cooling unit. A method of controlling a cold water and ice generating device including a refrigerant flow switching valve for switching a refrigerant flow path, comprising: driving a compressor; controlling the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the ice making unit; When the full ice tank for storing ice is detected and the full water level sensor provided in the cold water tank for storing cold water is not detected, controlling the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the cooling unit; And when the full water level sensor is detected and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the cold water tank reaches a preset target temperature, stopping the operation of the compressor may be included.

Additionally, the means for solving the above problems do not enumerate all the features of the present invention. The various features of the present invention and the resulting advantages and effects can be understood in more detail by referring to the specific embodiments below.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the auger-type ice-making method prevents freezing of the auger module that generates ice, eliminating the need to perform a thawing operation, and appropriately generates ice and cold water according to the amount of ice and cold water used. can do.

1 is a configuration diagram of a cold water and ice generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of the ice making unit shown in Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a diagram showing an implementation example of the auger module shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a detailed configuration diagram of the cooling unit shown in Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a detailed configuration diagram of the cooling unit shown in Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 and 7 are flowcharts of a control method of a cold water and ice generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a flowchart of a control method of a cold water and ice generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 and 10 are flowcharts of a control method of a cold water and ice generating device according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention. However, when describing preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the same symbols are used throughout the drawings for parts that perform similar functions and actions.

In addition, throughout the specification, when a part is said to be 'connected' to another part, this does not only mean 'directly connected', but also 'indirectly connected' with another element in between. Includes. In addition, 'including' a certain component means that other components may be further included rather than excluding other components, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

1 is a configuration diagram of a cold water and ice generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cold water and ice generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 110, a condenser 120, a dryer 130, a refrigerant flow switching valve 140, an ice maker 150, It may be configured to include a cooling unit 160 and a control unit 170.

The compressor 110 can compress the refrigerant, the condenser 120 can liquefy the refrigerant by releasing heat from the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110, and the dryer 130 is a condenser ( 120), impurities or moisture can be removed from the liquefied refrigerant.

The refrigerant flow switching valve 140 is for switching the flow path of the refrigerant that has passed through the dryer 130, and can be implemented as, for example, a 2-way valve.

The refrigerant flow switching valve 140 can selectively supply liquefied refrigerant to the ice maker 150 or the cooling unit 160 under the control of the control unit 170.

The ice making unit 150 is used to create ice by an auger type ice making method using refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant flow conversion valve 140.

FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of the ice making unit shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the auger module shown in FIG. 2.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ice maker 150 may be configured to include an auger module 151, an ice tank 152, and a full ice detection sensor 153.

The auger module 151 is for producing ice by an auger-type ice-making method. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the auger module 151 includes a separation transfer unit 1511, a motor 1512, a moving unit 1513, and a refrigerant unit. It may be composed including (1514).

The separation and transfer unit 1511 is, for example, implemented as a screw that rotates in the moving unit 1513, and can separate and transport the ice generated on the surface in contact with the refrigerant unit 1514 and discharge it to the ice tank 152.

The motor 1512 can be driven to rotate the separation transfer unit 1511.

The flowing portion 1513 is formed in an internal space surrounded by the refrigerant portion 1514 to receive water provided from the outside and allow it to flow. The water flowing in the flowing part 1513 is cooled by the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant part 1514, and ice may be generated on the surface in contact with the refrigerant part 1514.

The refrigerant unit 1514 is a space in which the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant flow switching valve 140 flows and may be formed on the outside of the auger module 151. The refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant unit 1514 may be supplied back to the compressor 110.

The ice tank 152 is for storing ice generated and discharged by the auger module 151.

The full ice detection sensor 153 is provided in the ice tank 152 and is used to detect whether the ice stored in the ice tank 152 is full. For example, it is implemented as an infrared sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and is installed in the ice tank. The amount of stored ice can be detected.

The cooling unit 160 is intended to generate cold water using refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant flow conversion valve 140. For example, cold water can be generated using a cold water storage tank method or an ice storage tank method.

FIG. 4 is a detailed configuration diagram of the cooling unit shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the detailed configuration of the cooling unit when the cooling unit generates cold water using a cold water storage tank.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cooling unit 160 may include a cold water tank 161, a cooling coil 162, a temperature sensor 163, and a water level sensor 164.

The cold water tank 161 is provided from the outside and is used to store cold water cooled by the cooling coil 162.

The cooling coil 162 is provided inside the cold water tank 161 to generate cold water by cooling the water stored in the cold water tank 161. The cooling coil 162 circulates the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant flow conversion valve 140 to generate cold water, and the circulated refrigerant is supplied back to the compressor 110.

The temperature sensor 163 is provided in the cold water tank 161 and is used to detect the temperature of cold water stored in the cold water tank 161.

The water level sensor 164 is provided in the cold water tank 161 to detect the water level of cold water stored in the cold water tank 161. For example, it detects the full water level, which is the water level at which water entry into the cold water tank 161 should be stopped. It may include a full water level sensor and a low water level sensor that detects the low water level, which is the water level that requires entry into the cold water tank 161.

Meanwhile, FIG. 5 is a detailed configuration diagram of the cooling unit shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows the detailed configuration of the cooling unit when the cooling unit generates cold water in an ice tank type.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cooling unit 160 may include a cooling coil 162, an ice storage tank 165, and a cold water coil 166.

The cooling coil 162 is provided inside the ice storage tank 165 and supplies ice storage heat to the ice storage tank 165, thereby cooling the water flowing through the ice storage tank 165 to generate cold water. The cooling coil 162 circulates the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant flow switching valve 140, and the circulated refrigerant is supplied back to the compressor 110.

The ice storage tank 165 is used to cool the water flowing along the cold water coil 166 provided inside the ice storage tank 165 by ice storage heat supplied by the cooling coil 162.

The cold water coil 166 is provided inside the ice tank 165 to allow water supplied from the outside to flow. In order to increase cold water generation efficiency, the cold water coil 166 may be formed so that the contact surface with the ice shaft tank 165 is as wide as possible.

The control unit 170 is for controlling the overall operation of the cold water and ice generating device, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), It can be implemented with processors such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA).

According to one example, the control unit 170 may control the refrigerant flow switching valve 140 so that the refrigerant that has passed through the dryer 130 is supplied to at least one of the ice making unit 150 and the cooling unit 160.

For example, after driving the compressor 110, the control unit 170 first supplies the refrigerant to the ice making unit 150 to create ice, and then supplies the refrigerant to the cooling unit 160 to generate cold water. The flow path switching valve 140 can be controlled.

On the contrary, after driving the compressor 110, the control unit 170 first supplies the refrigerant to the cooling unit 160 to generate cold water, and then supplies the refrigerant to the ice making unit 150 to create ice. The switching valve 140 can be controlled.

In addition, when a shortage of cold water is detected while ice is being created by the ice maker 150, the control unit 170 controls the refrigerant flow switching valve 140 to allow the refrigerant to flow to both the ice maker 150 and the cooling unit 160. By supplying water in one direction, ice and cold water can be produced at the same time.

Likewise, when a shortage of ice is detected while cold water is being generated by the cooling unit 160, the control unit 170 controls the refrigerant flow switching valve 140 to allow the refrigerant to flow into the ice making unit 150 and the cooling unit 160. By supplying water in both directions, ice and cold water can be produced simultaneously.

A method by which the control unit 170 controls the operation of the cold water and ice generating device will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10.

Figures 6 and 7 are flowcharts of a control method of a cold water and ice generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention. For example, the cooling unit provided in the cold water and ice generating device is a cold water storage tank type as shown in Figure 4. The control flow when generating cold water is shown.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, first, the compressor provided in the cold water and ice generating device is driven (S61), and the refrigerant flow conversion valve is controlled to supply refrigerant to the ice making unit (S62) to perform the ice making operation by the ice making unit. It can be controlled to do so (S63).

Thereafter, the ice tank storing the ice generated by the ice maker is detected (S64), and if the cold water stored in the cold water tank is not sufficient, for example, if the full water level sensor provided in the cold water tank is not detected (S66) ), the refrigerant flow switching valve can be controlled to supply refrigerant to the cooling unit and perform a cooling operation by the cooling unit (S67). Thereafter, when the cold water stored in the cold water tank becomes sufficient and the cold water temperature reaches the preset target temperature (S68), the operation of the compressor can be stopped (S69).

On the other hand, when the ice tank is detected to be full (S64) and the cold water stored in the cold water tank is sufficient (S66), the operation of the compressor can be stopped without performing a cooling operation (S69).

On the other hand, if the full ice tank is not detected but the cold water stored in the cold water tank is insufficient, for example, if the low water level sensor provided in the cold water tank is not detected (S65), the refrigerant flow switching valve is controlled to control the ice making unit and cooling unit. By supplying refrigerant in both directions, ice-making and cooling operations can be performed simultaneously (S71).

Afterwards, if the ice tank is detected to be full (S72) and the cold water stored in the cold water tank is sufficient (S73), the process proceeds to step S69 described above. If the ice tank is detected to be full (S72) and the cold water stored in the cold water tank is insufficient (S73), the process proceeds to step S69. (S73) You can proceed to step S67 described above.

On the other hand, if the full ice tank is not detected (S72) and the cold water stored in the cold water tank is sufficient (S74), the process can proceed to step S62 described above.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a control method of a cold water and ice generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention. For example, a cooling unit provided in the cold water and ice generating device supplies cold water in an ice shaft tank method as shown in FIG. 5. The control flow when creating is shown.

Referring to FIG. 8, first, the compressor provided in the cold water and ice generating device is driven (S81), the refrigerant flow switching valve is controlled to supply refrigerant to the ice making unit (S82), and the ice making unit is controlled to perform an ice making operation. (S83).

When cold water extraction is started while performing an ice-making operation by the ice making unit (S84), the refrigerant flow switching valve is controlled to supply refrigerant to the cooling unit to perform a cooling operation by the cooling unit until cold water extraction is stopped. (S85).

On the other hand, if cold water is not extracted (S84), cold water extraction is stopped (S86), or full ice in the ice tank is not detected (S87), the process proceeds to step S83 described above, and if full ice in the ice tank is detected (S87) The operation of the compressor can be stopped (S88).

9 and 10 are flowcharts of a control method of a cold water and ice generating device according to another embodiment. For example, a cooling unit provided in the cold water and ice generating device generates cold water in a cold water storage tank method as shown in FIG. 4. The control flow when creating is shown.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, first, the compressor provided in the cold water and ice generating device is driven (S91), and the refrigerant flow switching valve is controlled to supply refrigerant to the cooling unit to perform a cooling operation by the cooling unit. (S92).

Thereafter, when the cold water stored in the cold water tank becomes sufficient and the cold water temperature reaches the preset target temperature (S63), when the ice tank is full (S95), the operation of the compressor can be stopped (S98). On the other hand, if the full ice tank is not detected (S95), the refrigerant flow switching valve can be controlled to supply refrigerant to the ice making unit (S96) and the ice making unit can be controlled to perform an ice making operation (S97).

On the other hand, if the cold water stored in the cold water tank is sufficient and the cold water temperature has not reached the preset target temperature, but the ice stored in the ice tank is insufficient (S94), the refrigerant flow conversion valve is controlled to divert refrigerant to both the ice-making unit and the cooling unit. By supplying ice, ice making and cooling operations can be performed simultaneously (S101).

Afterwards, if the full ice tank is detected (S102), and the cold water stored in the cold water tank is sufficient and the cold water temperature has reached the preset target temperature (S103), the process proceeds to step S98 described above, and the full ice tank is detected (S102). ) If there is enough cold water stored in the cold water tank and the cold water temperature has not reached the preset target temperature (S103), you can proceed to step S92 described above.

On the other hand, if the full ice tank is not detected (S102) and the cold water stored in the cold water tank is sufficient (S104), the process can proceed to step S96 described above.

The control method described above with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10 may be performed by a processor provided in the cold water and ice generating device.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and attached drawings. For those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, it will be clear that components according to the present invention can be replaced, modified, and changed without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

110: compressor
120: condenser
130: dryer
140: Refrigerant flow conversion valve
150: Ice making unit
151: Auger module
152: Ice tank
153: Full ice detection sensor
160: cooling unit
161: Cold water tank
162: cooling coil
163: Temperature sensor
164: Water level sensor
165: Ice tank
166: Cold water coil
170: control unit

Claims (13)

A compressor that compresses refrigerant;
A condenser that liquefies the gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor;
a dryer that removes impurities from the refrigerant liquefied by the condenser;
A refrigerant flow conversion valve that switches the flow path of the refrigerant passing through the dryer;
An ice making unit that creates ice by using the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant oil conversion valve by an auger type ice making method;
a cooling unit that generates cold water using refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant oil conversion valve; and
a control unit that controls the refrigerant flow switching valve so that the refrigerant that has passed through the dryer is supplied to at least one of the ice making unit and the cooling unit; Including,
The control unit
While driving the compressor and supplying refrigerant to the cooling unit to generate cold water, when a shortage of ice is detected, controlling the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the ice making unit and the cooling unit.
Cold water and ice making device.
According to claim 1,
The control unit drives the compressor, supplies refrigerant to the ice-making unit to generate ice, and then controls the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the cooling unit to generate cold water.
According to claim 2,
The control unit controls the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the ice maker and the cooling unit when a shortage of cold water is detected while ice is being created by the ice maker.
According to claim 1,
The control unit drives the compressor, supplies refrigerant to the cooling unit to generate cold water, and then controls the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the ice making unit to generate ice.
delete The method of claim 1, wherein the ice making unit,
An auger module that generates ice by an auger-type ice-making method;
an ice tank storing ice generated by the auger module; and
A cold water and ice generating device including a full ice detection sensor that detects whether the ice stored in the ice tank is full.
The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit,
A cold water tank that stores cold water;
A cooling coil provided inside the cold water tank and circulating the refrigerant to cool the water stored in the cold water tank to generate cold water;
A temperature sensor that detects the temperature of cold water stored in the cold water tank; and
A cold water and ice generating device including a water level sensor that detects the level of cold water stored in the cold water tank.
The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit,
An ice storage tank that generates cold water by cooling the water flowing inside through ice storage heat;
a cooling coil provided inside the ice storage tank and supplying the ice storage heat to the ice storage tank by circulating the refrigerant; and
A cold water and ice generating device that is provided inside the ice storage tank and includes a cold water coil that provides a passage for the water to flow.
An ice-making unit that generates ice using an auger-type ice-making method, a cooling unit that generates cold water using a cold water storage tank method, and a refrigerant flow switching valve that switches the refrigerant flow path to supply refrigerant to at least one of the ice-making unit and the cooling unit. In a method of controlling a cold water and ice generating device comprising,
Driving a compressor;
controlling the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the ice making unit;
When the ice tank for storing ice is detected to be full and the full water level sensor provided in the cold water tank for storing cold water is not detected, controlling the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the cooling unit;
When the full water level sensor is detected and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the cold water tank reaches a preset target temperature, stopping operation of the compressor; and
controlling the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the ice making unit and the cooling unit when the full ice tank is not detected and the low water level sensor provided in the cold water tank is not detected;
A control method of a cold water and ice generating device comprising a.
delete An ice-making unit that generates ice by an auger-type ice-making method, a cooling unit that generates cold water by an ice shaft tank method, and a refrigerant flow path switching valve that switches the refrigerant flow path to supply refrigerant to at least one of the ice-making unit and the cooling unit. In a method of controlling a cold water and ice generating device comprising:
Driving a compressor;
controlling the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the ice making unit;
controlling the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the cooling unit when extraction of cold water is started while the ice making unit is performing an ice making operation;
When the cold water extraction is stopped and the ice tank storing ice is not detected to be full, controlling the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the ice making unit;
stopping operation of the compressor when the ice tank is detected to be full; and
controlling the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the ice making unit and the cooling unit when the full ice tank is not detected and a low water level sensor provided in the cold water tank is not detected;
A control method of a cold water and ice generating device comprising a.
An ice-making unit that generates ice using an auger-type ice-making method, a cooling unit that generates cold water by using a cold water storage tank, and a refrigerant flow path switching valve that switches the refrigerant flow path to supply refrigerant to at least one of the ice-making unit and the cooling unit. In a method of controlling a cold water and ice generating device comprising,
Driving a compressor;
Controlling the refrigerant oil switching valve to supply refrigerant to the cooling unit;
When the full water level sensor provided in the cold water tank storing cold water is detected and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the cold water tank reaches the preset target temperature, if the full ice level sensor provided in the cold water tank storing ice is not detected, , controlling the refrigerant flow switching valve to supply refrigerant to the ice making unit;
stopping operation of the compressor when the ice tank is detected to be full; and
If the full water level sensor is not detected, or the temperature measured by the temperature sensor does not reach the preset target temperature, or if the ice stored in the ice tank is less than the preset ice amount, refrigerant is supplied to the ice making unit and the cooling unit. Controlling the switching valve to supply refrigerant oil;
A control method of a cold water and ice generating device comprising a.
delete

Images